‘She was my first love’: DJ Diplo mourns death of his mother one month after losing sister

International DJ Diplo has revealed another family tragedy after his beloved mum dies weeks after the passing of his sister.

Diplo mourns mother's death one month after losing sister.

Popular musician DJ Diplo has suffered another family tragedy just one month on from losing his sister, Amy.

In a heartbreaking Instagram post, the Grammy nominee – real name Thomas Wesley Pentz – revealed he just lost his mother, Barbara Jean, who he called his “first love” and the “first woman in my life”.

“Even as a grown man its [sic] a cosmic gut punch to lose your mother,” he wrote in the caption alongside a carousel of throwback photos of his beloved mum.

“When your [sic] grow up and u leave home. in a way it’s sad to think but u know mother is always there. Even as a man – you would never call on your mom [sic] for things but you know somewhere deep inside that she would protect you..she give you your first feeling of security because she gave u a life.”

Diplo paid tribute to his mother on Instagram.

The musician shares a series of throwback images as he remember his beloved mum.

While Diplo did not reveal details into how she died, he did share some insight into his mother’s condition before she passed, revealing she was restricted to a chair and oxygen tank in the last 10 years.

Still, her illness did not stop her from being the muso’s number-one fan.

“She was my number one everything and I could never do anything wrong in her eyes. I really did light up her life,” he wrote. “My mom was suffering a lot in her soul but also her body was fighting a fight she wasn't going to win.”

Diplo said he got to spend lots of quality time with his mother and family in Florida in the last few weeks as they mourned the death of Amy together.

Diplo says his mother was on oxygen for the last 10 years.

But she still managed to be his number one cheerleader despite her ongoing illness.

“[My mum] loved my babies too – she was so proud of the little men they are becoming. She got to spend time with them last month with me because of Amy. I’m so happy that happened,” he wrote. “My sister died in July and I think she brought our family together more than we have ever been.”

“Momma knew me and my dad & my sister Kelly are OK. She knows we are good — we gave her that peace. My dad held her hand at the last breath. They been married since high school. We are safe but she needed to be with my sister Amy somewhere better. I miss you Barbara Jean, you were the brightest light in my life.”

He concluded by apologising to the staff at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, where he is currently touring.

“I just had a ten minute cry in the bathroom at CDG airport sorry to the Janitor,” he wrote.

Diplo called his mother his “first love, first woman in my life”.

Fellow DJ Tiesto was among the first of Diplo’s famous friends to reach out and share his condolences.

“Losing your mother is losing a part of yourself,” he commented on Instagram, while designer Jeremy Scott wrote: ”Sending you so much love and light Wes.”

“This was beautiful,” actress Sara Foster commented. ️“Sending you love.”

Back in 2013️, Barbara did an interview with The Daytona Beach News Journal, in which she expressed how proud she was of her talented son, who at the time scored a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year.

Diplo is fresh from saying goodbye to his sister, who died in July. Picture: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Diplo has worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Justin Bieber and Madonna. Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella

Over the span of his career, Diplo has collaborated with artists such as Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Britney Spears and Usher.

“Wesley has been on the cutting edge a long time and he’s helped other people along the way to get out there,” the proud mum told the publication.

“Whether he gets the Grammy or not, it’s well-deserved. He’s earned it. If he gets it, that’s great. If he doesn’t, I’m still so proud of him.”

Diplo did not win the Grammy that year, but he did go on to win three Grammys in the following years: Best Dance Recording in 2015 for Where Are Ü Now with Skrillex and Justin Bieber; Best Dance/Electronic Album in 2016 for Skrillex And Diplo Present Jack Ü; and Best Dance Recording in 2019 for Electricity with Mark Ronson and Dua Lipa.

Originally published as ‘She was my first love’: DJ Diplo mourns death of his mother one month after losing sister